endorsement
en-DOR-suh-munt
/ɪnˈdɔːrsmənt/
An act of giving one's public approval or support to someone or something; specifically, an athlete's agreement to promote a product.
Implies a personal connection where the athlete's reputation is used to sell the product.
The story behind the word. From the Medieval Latin 'indorsare', meaning 'to write on the back'. Originally, this referred to signing the back of a legal document or check to validate it.
Word relationships
- sanction: Can mean approval, but usually carries a more official or legal weight.
- advocacy: Support for a cause rather than a product.
- disavowal: A public denial of support or connection.
Commonly confused with
- sponsorship: Endorsement is about the person; sponsorship is about the event or organization.
Word family
- endorse (verb): To declare one's public approval of something.
- endorser (noun): The person who gives the endorsement.
Collocations
- celebrity endorsement
- product endorsement
- endorsement contract
Example sentences
- "Michael Jordan's endorsement of Nike revolutionized the sports marketing industry." High-profile athlete deals.
- "The check required an endorsement on the back before it could be cashed." Legal context.
Memory hook
You put your name on the 'DORSUM' (back) of the deal. Signing on the back.
When not to use
Don't use for a simple 'like' on social media; it usually implies a formal contract.
Fun facts
- The 'dorsal' fin of a shark is on its back—sharing the same root as endorsement.
Related words
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